Tamper evident container made of plastic material

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a box that includes a base and a lid connected by a hinge including at least one hinge portion connected to the lid by a frangible connection configured to break during the first opening of the lid. The box includes a tongue extending from the lid and beyond the articulation axis, such that when the box is closed, the tongue extends toward the outside of the box from the lid while protruding relative to the hinge beyond the articulation axis, pulling on the tongue making it possible to open the lid by breaking each frangible connection, a lid portion of each hinge part remaining secured to the base and separate from the lid, in the protruding state.

The present invention relates to the field of plastic boxes comprising a base and a lid articulated on one another via a hinge.

It is possible to market food products in plastic boxes comprising a base and a lid articulated on the base by means of a hinge, the base and the lid being provided with complementary closing reliefs configured to engage to keep the lid closed.

It is desirable to provide such a box with a first opening indicator allowing the consumer to verify that the box has not been opened, then closed again.

WO2008/008343A1 discloses a box comprising a base and a lid that are connected by a hinge, the base comprising a peripheral spur extending upward and preventing grasping a peripheral edge of the lid to open the latter, the hinge comprising a frangible part, the removal of which makes it possible to free an arm making it possible to grasp the lid to open it. To be able to open the lid, the user must therefore break the frangible part of the hinge, which thus forms a first opening indicator.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,008B2 discloses a box comprising a base and a lid that are connected by an articulation, the base comprising a peripheral spur extending upward so as to prevent grasping a peripheral edge of the lid to open the latter, the articulation being frangible, the base and the lid being provided with tongues able to be grasped by the user to lift the lid with breaking the articulation. When the cover is closed, the tongues borne by the base and the lid do not extend from the base and the lid beyond the articulation axis. The articulation broken upon the first opening of the lid forms a first opening indicator.

One aim of the invention is to provide a box with a first opening indicator that has reliable closing while having easy opening for the user.

To that end, the invention proposes a box with a first opening indicator, the box being made in a single piece of plastic and comprising a base and a lid connected by a film of material in which is formed a hinge comprising at least one hinge part configured to fold along a rotation axis for the first closing of the lid, each hinge part having a lid portion connected to the lid by a frangible connection configured to break upon the first opening of the lid, the box comprising a tongue extending from the lid and beyond the articulation axis, such that when the box is closed, the tongue extends toward the outside of the box from the lid while protruding relative to the hinge beyond the articulation axis, pulling on the tongue making it possible to open the lid by breaking each frangible connection, the lid portion of the corresponding hinge part remaining secured to the base and separate from the lid, in the protruding state.

The tongue extending beyond the articulation axis while protruding relative to the hinge, and which may for example be integrated into the material film in which the hinge is formed, is easily identifiable by the user and allows easy opening by the user.

According to specific example embodiments, the box comprises one or more of the following optional features, considered individually or according to any technically possible combination:

-   -   the tongue is formed in the material film,     -   the tongue is cut in the material film along a cutting line;     -   the tongue is jointed with each hinge part;     -   the hinge has two hinge parts located on either side of the         tongue;     -   each frangible connection extends from one end of a cutting line         of the tongue;     -   the base has a circumferential protective spur raised relative         to the peripheral edge of the lid when the latter is closed, the         peripheral protective spur being interrupted in a passage zone         through which each hinge part and the tongue extend;     -   the base and the lid comprise complementary closing reliefs         configured to be inserted forcibly into one another so as to         keep the lid closed;     -   the base and the lid each have a generally circular shape;     -   each articulation part comprises a base portion secured to the         base and a folding portion connecting the base portion to the         lid portion secured to the lid.

The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, provided solely as a non-limiting example, and done in reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an open box, before the first time it is closed;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of FIG. 1 illustrating a hinge of the box;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the box during its first closing;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the closed box, before the first opening;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the open box, after its first opening; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the closed box, after its first opening.

The box 2 illustrated by FIGS. 1 to 6 comprises a base 4 and a lid 6 articulated on the base 4 via a hinge 8 defining an articulation axis A around which the lid 6 pivots during the first closing of the box 2.

The box 2 is for example a box for packaging food products.

The box 2 is made in a single piece of plastic material. The base 4 and the lid 6 are thus made in a single piece of plastic material. The plastic is for example PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

The box 2 is for example made by thermoforming a sheet of plastic with the assistance of a mold.

The hinge 8 comprises at least one hinge part 10, here two hinge parts 10.

Each hinge part 10 is configured to fold along the articulation axis A to allow the closing of the lid 6 by pivoting of the lid 6 along the base 4 along the articulation axis A.

Each hinge part 10 here comprises a base portion 12 secured to the base 4 and a lid portion 14 secured to the lid 6, the base portion 12 and the lid portion 14 being connected by a folding portion 16.

Each hinge part 10 is configured to fold by folding of its folding portion 16. The folding portion 16 of each hinge part 10 extends along the articulation axis A. The folding portion 16 of each hinge part 10 is for example formed by a slot.

The lid portion 14 of each articulation part 10 is connected to the lid 6 by a frangible connection 18 configured to be broken during the first opening of the lid 6.

Each articulation part 10 thus forms a first opening indicator, the lid portion 14 of each articulation part 10 remaining secured to the base 4 and separate from the lid 6 after the first opening, while being protruding (FIGS. 5 and 6).

When the box 2 is closed but a hinge part 10 is broken, i.e., separated from the lid 6 by breaking the frangible connection 18 between the lid portion 14 and the lid 6, this means that the box 2 has been opened, then closed.

The frangible connection 18 is provided to break easily. The frangible connection 18 is for example formed by a rupture line extending at the junction between the lid portion 14 of the hinge portion 10 and the lid 6.

The frangible line 18 is for example a precut line. Such a precut line is for example formed from a series of small bridges distributed along a frangible line 18, each small bridge connecting the lid portion 14 of the hinge part 10 to the lid 6.

The box 2 comprises a tongue 20 secured to the lid 6 and provided to make it possible to open the lid 6 by pulling on the tongue 20. The tongue 20 extends from the lid 6 and past the articulation axis A.

When the box 2 has never been closed (FIGS. 1 and 2), the tongue 20 extends from the lid 6 toward the base 4.

The tongue 20 is formed so as not to fold during the first closing of the lid 6.

When the box 2 is closed for the first time (FIG. 4), each hinge part 10 is folded in two around the articulation axis A and is located entirely on the same side of the articulation axis A as the lid 6.

The lid portion 14 of each hinge part 10 is folded onto the base portion 12 of said hinge part 10 by folding of the folding portion 16.

Furthermore, the tongue 20 turns over without folding. It protrudes from the lid 6 toward the outside of the box 2, going beyond the articulation axis A. It follows that the tongue 20 protrudes relative to the hinge 8, past the articulation axis A. The tongue 20 in particular protrudes toward the outside of the box relative to the lid portion 14 of each hinge part 10.

The protruding tongue 20 allows the user to understand that it is necessary to pull on the tongue 20 to open the lid 6.

To open the box 2 for the first time (FIG. 5), the user grasps and lifts the tongue 20. This results in breaking each frangible connection 18 connecting a hinge part 10 to the lid 6.

Optionally, the box 2 is provided with a sign indicating to the user to pull on the tongue 20 to open the lid. The indication can be formed in a hollow or a relief on the tongue 20, on the lid 6 or on the base 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the illustrated example, the hinge 8 comprises two hinge parts 10 arranged on either side of the tongue 20. The tongue 20 is located along an articulation axis A between the two hinge parts 10. The two hinge parts 10 are spaced apart along the articulation axis A.

The hinge 8 and the tongue 20 are formed in a material film 22 initially connecting the base 4 and the lid 6, before the first closing and the first opening of the box 2.

The tongue 20 is cut in the material film 22 along a cutting line 24.

In the illustrated example, the cutting line 24 is U-shaped, the two branches of which are substantially perpendicular to the articulation axis A.

Each hinge part 10 is formed in the material film 22. Each hinge part 10 results in part from the cutting out of the tongue 20.

The frangible connection 18 connecting each hinge part 10 to the lid 6 extends from one end of the cutting line 24 of the tongue 20. Thus, when the tongue 20 is pulled, each frangible connection 18 is immediately stressed, which allows easy and quick breaking of the frangible connection 18.

In the illustrated example, each frangible connection 18 extends from a respective end of the cutting line 24.

Advantageously, each frangible connection 18 extends from an end of the cutting line 24 to an edge 26 of the material film 22 while traversing the corresponding hinge part.

In the illustrated example, the material film 22 has two opposite edges 26 and each frangible connection 18 extends toward a respective edge 26 of the hinge film 22. The two frangible connections 18 extend gradually away from one another.

In the illustrated example, each frangible connection 18 extends radially relative to the articulation axis A from the cutting line 24, then turns substantially at 90° to extend axially relative to the articulation axis A, joining the edge 26 of the material film 22.

The base 4 and the lid 6 comprise complementary closing reliefs making it possible to keep the lid 6 in the closed position. The complementary closing reliefs are configured to be forcibly engaged in one another.

The complementary closing reliefs here comprise a circumferential closing rib 30 borne by the lid 6 and a complementary circumferential closing groove 32 arranged on the base 4, provided to engage forcibly in one another during the closing of the lid 6.

The base 4 is provided with a circumferential protecting spur 34 surrounding the lid 6 and protruding upward relative to the peripheral edge 36 of the lid 6 when the lid 6 is closed. Thus, the spur 34 prevents the user from grasping the peripheral edge 36 of the closed lid 6 to open the latter.

The spur 34 is interrupted in a passage zone 38 (or notch) located circumferentially in line with the hinge 8 and the tongue 20. This passage zone 38 allows the passage of each hinge part 10 and the tongue 20 outward, from the peripheral edge 36 of the lid 6.

During operation, for the first opening of the box 4, the user maintains the base 4 and pulls the tongue 20 upward so as to separate the lid 6 from the base 4 (FIG. 4).

The pulling force exerted on the tongue 20 joined to each hinge part 10 allows a quick and easy rupture of each frangible connection 18.

The tongue 20 being located between the two hinge parts 10, the pulling of the tongue 20 allows easy breaking of the hinge parts 10.

The location and shapes of the frangible connections 18 located between the lid portions 14 of the hinge parts 10 and the lid 6 provide a quick and easy break once the tongue 20 is pulled.

Furthermore, the tongue 20 being located between the two hinge parts 10, there is a small length of the peripheral edge 36 remaining free between each hinge part 10 and the protective spur 34. The box 2 is therefore indeed protected against fraudulent opening.

After the first opening of the lid 6, the latter is separated from the base 4. It is possible to close the lid 6 again (FIG. 6).

However, the lid portions 14 form first opening indicators while remaining secured to the base 4 and separated from the lid 6, and while being protruding. The user thus knows that the box 2 has already been opened.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated example embodiments, alternatives being possible.

Furthermore, the positioning of the tongue 20 between two hinge parts is advantageous independently of the fact that the tongue 20 protrudes toward the outside of the closed box 2 while exceeding the articulation axis A, in particular when the tongue 20 is joined to each hinge part 10, and in particular delimited by a cutting line 24 in the material film 22 in which the hinge 8 is formed.

Thus generally, the invention also relates to a box with a first opening indicator, the box being made in a single piece of plastic and comprising a base 4 and a lid 6 connected by a film of material 22 in which a hinge 8 is formed comprising two hinge parts 10 configured to fold along a rotation axis A for the first closing of the lid 6 and connected to the lid by a frangible connection 18 configured to be broken upon the first opening of the lid 6, the box comprising a tongue 20 extending from the lid 6 while being located between the two hinge parts 10, a pulling force on the tongue 20 making it possible to open the lid 6 by breaking each frangible connection 18. 

1. A box with a first opening indicator, the box being made in a single piece of plastic and comprising a base (4) and a lid (6) connected by a film of material (22) in which a hinge (8) is formed comprising at least one hinge part (10) configured to fold along a rotation axis (A) for the first closing of the lid (6), each hinge part (10) having a lid portion (14) connected to the lid (6) by a frangible connection (18) configured to break upon the first opening of the lid (6), the box comprising a tongue (20) extending from the lid (6) and beyond the articulation axis (A), such that when the box is closed, the tongue (20) extends toward the outside of the box from the lid (6) while protruding relative to the hinge (8) beyond the articulation axis (A), pulling on the tongue (20) making it possible to open the lid (6) by breaking each frangible connection (18), the lid portion (14) of the corresponding hinge part (10) remaining secured to the base (4) and separate from the lid (6), in the protruding state.
 2. The box according to claim 1, wherein the tongue (20) is formed in the material film (22).
 3. The box according to claim 1, wherein the tongue (20) is cut in the material film (22) along a cutting line.
 4. The box according to claim 1, wherein the tongue (20) is jointed with each hinge part (10).
 5. The box according to claim 1, wherein the hinge has two hinge parts (10) located on either side of the tongue (20).
 6. The box according to claim 1, wherein each frangible connection (18) extends from one end of a cutting line of the tongue (20).
 7. The box according to claim 1, wherein the base (4) has a circumferential protective spur (34) raised relative to the peripheral edge (36) of the lid (6) when the latter is closed, the peripheral protective spur (34) being interrupted in a passage zone (38) through which each hinge part (10) and the tongue (20) extend.
 8. The box according to claim 1, wherein the base (4) and the lid (6) comprise complementary closing reliefs (30, 32) configured to be inserted forcibly into one another so as to keep the lid (6) closed.
 9. The box according to claim 1, wherein the base (4) and the lid (6) each have a generally circular shape.
 10. The box according to claim 1, wherein each articulation part (10) comprises a base portion (12) secured to the base and a folding portion (16) connecting the base portion (12) to the lid portion (14) secured to the lid (6).
 11. The box according to claim 2, wherein the tongue is cut in the material film along a cutting line.
 12. The box according to claim 2, wherein the tongue is jointed with each hinge part.
 13. The box according to claim 3, wherein the tongue is jointed with each hinge part.
 14. The box according to claim 2, wherein the hinge has two hinge parts located on either side of the tongue.
 15. The box according to claim 3, wherein the hinge has two hinge parts located on either side of the tongue.
 16. The box according to claim 4, wherein the hinge has two hinge parts located on either side of the tongue.
 17. The box according to claim 2, wherein each frangible connection extends from one end of a cutting line of the tongue.
 18. The box according to claim 3, wherein each frangible connection extends from one end of a cutting line of the tongue.
 19. The box according to claim 4, wherein each frangible connection extends from one end of a cutting line of the tongue.
 20. The box according to claim 5, wherein each frangible connection extends from one end of a cutting line of the tongue. 